Photography And Half-Thoughts By Mitchell Hegman

...because some of it is pretty and some of it is not.

Monday, March 10, 2025

Maggie and Elvis

Maggie (Magnolia) Smith, a young Black woman from Memphis, Tennessee, shared a unique friendship with Elvis Presley near the end of his life. They met by chance in 1974 when Elvis learned she was a struggling college student in need of a job and transportation. He immediately took her plight to heart and offered her both—paying her tuition, providing a car, and ensuring she had a quiet place to study in the kitchen of his Graceland estate. Though her official title was "Executive Assistant," Elvis insisted that her most important role was focusing on her education.

Beyond work, their bond deepened through shared laughter, conversations, and heartfelt moments. Having lost her father, Maggie saw Elvis as a guiding presence, and he closely followed her academic progress—sometimes calling to check on her studies while on the road performing. She helped with Lisa Marie and assisted around Graceland, becoming a trusted part of his inner circle.

More than just an employer, Elvis was a compassionate friend. Maggie and Elvis shared precious moments of quiet reflection—reading, praying, and even crying together. While he provided Maggie with education and stability, she grounded Elvis in a quiet and meaningful way—something rare for someone so famous.

Maggie Smith

—Mitchell Hegman

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